Exploring the Cell Cycle and Cancer Development

Approximately how many cells are in the human body at any given time?

• 30 trillion

• 20 trillion

• 40 trillion

• 10 trillion

Which phase of the cell cycle is responsible for DNA replication?

• M phase

• G2 phase

• S phase

• G1 phase

What is the primary function of the G2 checkpoint in the cell cycle?

• To separate chromatids

• To initiate cell differentiation

• To ensure DNA replication is complete

• To check for DNA damage

What characteristic allows cancer cells to enter the cell cycle without external signals?

• Evading growth suppressors

• Sustaining proliferative signaling

• Increased genetic instability

• Limitless replicative potential

What phenomenon prevents non-tumorous cells from proliferating beyond a single layer in a petri dish?

• Cell cycle checkpoints

• Apoptosis

• Growth factor absence

• Contact inhibition

Which enzyme is reactivated in cancer cells to allow indefinite division?

• DNA polymerase

• RNA polymerase

• Telomerase

• Helicase

What is the result of disabling apoptosis in cancer cells?

• Increased cell differentiation

• Enhanced DNA repair

• Evading programmed cell death

• Uncontrolled cell death

What are proto-oncogenes?

• Genes that suppress tumors

• Genes that facilitate cell division when mutated

• Genes that repair DNA

• Genes that induce apoptosis

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-4

What term is used to describe the period before cancer formation when mutations accumulate?

• Transformation

• Progression

• Heterogeneity

• Latency

What does tumor heterogeneity refer to?

• Uniform population of cancer cells

• Absence of mutations in cancer cells

• Diverse population of cancer cells

• Single type of cancer cell

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2